Emily Johnson
Mushrooms have been consumed by humans since prehistory, but not all mushrooms are safe to eat. Of the 10,000 known species of large mushrooms, only around 300 are edible. The rest contain toxins that can cause poisoning, and in rare cases, death. Poisoning usually occurs due to the misidentification of toxic mushrooms as edible ones, or the ingestion of wild mushrooms infected by fox tapeworm. Some mushrooms, known as magic mushrooms, contain the hallucinogenic substance psilocybin, which can cause euphoria, hallucinations, and sensory distortion. While magic mushrooms are mostly illegal in the US, there is ongoing research into their potential health benefits, including the treatment of mental and behavioural health conditions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of toxic mushroom species | 100 out of 10,000 known species |
| Number of poisonous mushroom species to humans | 100 out of 100,000 known fungi species |
| Number of ingestions annually in the US | 6000 |
| Number of ingestions by children under six years | Over half of the total ingestions |
| Common symptoms of poisoning | Gastrointestinal upset, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramping, diarrhoea |
| Other symptoms of poisoning | Kidney failure, headache, fatigue, blurred vision, palpitations, respiratory failure, euphoria, sleepiness, loss of muscular coordination, sweating, chills, visual distortions, delusions |
| Cause of poisoning | Misidentification of a toxic mushroom as an edible species, ingestion of wild mushrooms, picking the wrong types of mushrooms |
| Prevention | Familiarise with the mushrooms to be collected and similar-looking toxic species, cook mushrooms before eating, chew well |
| Health benefits | Potential to relieve mental health conditions, used for ceremonial and medicinal purposes for thousands of years |
| Legality | Illegal in the US, legal in a few cities |
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What You'll Learn
Magic mushrooms are illegal in most places
Mushrooms, specifically psilocybin mushrooms, also known as "magic mushrooms", are illegal in most places. Psilocybin and psilocin are listed as Schedule I drugs under the United Nations 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances. Schedule I drugs are defined as drugs with a high potential for abuse or drugs that have no recognized medical uses. The convention requires its members to prohibit psilocybin and restrict its use to medical and scientific research under strictly controlled conditions.
However, the mushrooms containing the drug were not specifically included in the convention due to pressure from the Mexican government. As a result, there has been ambiguity about the legal status of psilocybin mushrooms in many national, state, and provincial drug laws. While some jurisdictions have banned them because they are used in drug manufacture, others have ruled that growing psilocybin mushrooms does not qualify as "manufacturing" a controlled substance. In addition, spores of psilocybin mushrooms do not contain the drugs and are legal to possess in many areas, further complicating the legal situation.
The legal status of psilocybin mushrooms varies worldwide, with some countries and regions enacting specific laws regarding their possession and use. For example, US state courts have generally considered the mushroom a "container" of illicit drugs, making it illegal. However, a 1978 decision in Florida ruled that wild-picked psilocybin mushrooms are not illegal to possess, creating a loophole in the law. Similarly, in 2022, Colorado became the second US state to decriminalize psilocybin mushrooms. Outside of the US, the Canadian province of Alberta announced in 2022 that it would regulate and allow the use of psilocybin for medicinal purposes, with new regulations coming into effect in 2023.
The illegal status of psilocybin mushrooms in most places is due to the potential risks associated with their use. Psilocybin mushrooms are hallucinogenic and can cause altered perception of time and space, intense changes in mood and feeling, and unpredictable, potentially dangerous behavior. While the risk of addiction is low, there is a possibility of poisoning from misidentifying and consuming the wrong types of mushrooms.
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Mushroom poisoning is common
The symptoms of mushroom poisoning can vary widely, ranging from slight gastrointestinal discomfort to death. The majority of mushroom poisonings are not fatal, and the most common consequence is simply gastrointestinal upset, including nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramping, and diarrhoea. However, there are some mushroom toxins that have specific and sometimes deadly effects. For example, alpha-Amanitin causes vomiting and watery diarrhoea for about 24 hours, followed by severe liver damage that can continue for several days. Orellanine, found in some species of Cortinarius mushrooms, causes kidney failure about 11 days after ingestion. Other toxins, such as muscarine, can cause respiratory failure in high doses.
The safety of eating wild mushrooms also depends on how they are prepared. Some toxins are thermostable and are only destroyed by cooking. In addition, uncooked wild mushrooms may be infected by fox tapeworm. It is recommended to consume no more than 200-300 grams of fresh mushrooms per week to avoid the risk of over-exposure to harmful substances that may accumulate in mushrooms from the environment.
Mushroom toxicity has been known for millennia and is implicated in the deaths of several historical figures, including the Roman Emperor Claudius. Today, mushroom poisoning still occurs frequently, with about 6000 ingestions annually in the United States. Of these cases, over half are in children under six years old. Most poisonings occur due to misidentification by adults foraging for wild mushrooms, but many cases are also intentional ingestions of hallucinogenic mushrooms.
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Some mushrooms contain toxins that are only destroyed by cooking
Mushrooms are a type of fungus that has been consumed by humans since prehistory. However, not all mushrooms are safe for human consumption. Out of the vast number of mushroom species, only about 300 are edible, while approximately 100 are toxic and can lead to mushroom poisoning.
Mushroom poisoning occurs when toxic mushrooms are misidentified as edible ones and ingested. The consequences of mushroom poisoning can range from slight gastrointestinal discomfort to death. While most mushroom poisonings are not fatal, they can cause unpleasant symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramping, and diarrhoea. Some mushroom toxins can also lead to more severe health issues, such as liver failure and kidney failure.
To prevent mushroom poisoning, it is important to properly identify mushrooms before consuming them. This includes being aware of both the edible and toxic mushroom species. Additionally, some mushrooms contain toxins that are only destroyed through cooking. These toxins can cause digestive problems, such as flatulence and diarrhoea, even in edible mushroom species. Therefore, it is generally not advisable to consume mushrooms raw, especially wild mushrooms, as they may contain harmful substances and increase the risk of poisoning.
However, it is important to note that even cooked mushrooms can be tough on the stomach for some individuals due to the indigestible dietary fibre chitin found in their cell walls. This fibre can cause digestive issues, especially for those who lack the enzyme needed to break down trehalose, a sugar found in mushrooms. As such, experts recommend consuming no more than 200-300 grams of fresh mushrooms per week to avoid potential digestive problems and limit exposure to harmful substances.
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Misidentification of mushrooms can be fatal
Misidentification of mushrooms can have fatal consequences. Of the 10,000 known species of large mushrooms, only about 300 are edible. It is thought that approximately 100 out of the 100,000 known fungi species found worldwide are poisonous to humans. Many investigations have reclassified some mushroom species from edible to poisonous, making older classifications insufficient for describing toxic mushroom species.
Mushroom poisoning is usually the result of consuming wild mushrooms after mistaking them for edible species. The most common reason for this misidentification is the toxic mushroom species' close resemblance in terms of colour and general morphology to edible species. Foragers should familiarize themselves with the mushrooms they intend to collect, as well as with any similar-looking toxic species.
The symptoms of mushroom poisoning vary from slight gastrointestinal discomfort to death within about 10 days. The period between ingestion and the onset of symptoms depends on the toxin and can vary dramatically. For example, α-amanitin has no symptoms for 6-12 hours, followed by vomiting and watery diarrhoea. This stage lasts about 24 hours, after which severe liver damage begins and may continue for another 2-3 days. Orellanine, on the other hand, has no symptoms for 3-20 days, with kidney failure typically beginning around day 11 and becoming symptomatic by day 20.
To prevent mushroom poisoning, it is important to properly identify mushrooms before consumption and to cook them, as some mushrooms contain toxins that are only destroyed by cooking. In addition, uncooked wild mushrooms may be infected by fox tapeworm. It is recommended to consume no more than 200-300g of fresh mushrooms per week to avoid the risk of over-exposure to harmful substances that accumulate in mushrooms from the environment.
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Mushrooms can be tough on digestion
Mushroom poisoning typically occurs when wild mushrooms are misidentified as edible species. This is often due to their close resemblance in terms of colour and general morphology. To prevent mushroom poisoning, it is essential to familiarize yourself with both edible and toxic mushroom species before foraging or consuming wild mushrooms. Proper cooking methods can also play a crucial role in reducing the risk of mushroom poisoning.
The cell walls of mushrooms are made of chitin, an indigestible dietary fibre. Some people lack the intestinal enzyme that breaks down trehalose, a sugar found in mushrooms. As a result, they may experience severe digestive problems like flatulence and diarrhoea when consuming mushrooms. These symptoms can be mistaken for mushroom poisoning, but they can also be caused by edible mushrooms that are old or improperly cooked.
Furthermore, consuming raw mushrooms, especially wild varieties, carries the risk of ingesting the fox tapeworm. Even cultivated mushrooms, such as button, shiitake, oyster, and king trumpet mushrooms, can be challenging to digest in large quantities if consumed raw. Proper chewing is essential to break down the thick cell walls and facilitate protein absorption. Children who cannot chew well should avoid eating mushrooms. Experts recommend consuming no more than 200 to 300 grams of fresh mushrooms per week to avoid potential digestive issues and limit exposure to harmful environmental substances.
In addition to gastrointestinal issues, mushroom poisoning can lead to liver failure, kidney failure, and respiratory failure, depending on the toxins present. The onset of symptoms varies, with some toxins causing effects within hours, while others may take days or even weeks to manifest. Therefore, it is crucial to be cautious when consuming mushrooms, especially wild or unfamiliar varieties.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, some mushrooms are poisonous. Of the 10,000 known species of large mushrooms, only about 300 are edible. Poisoning from mushrooms can range from mild gastrointestinal upset to death.
Symptoms of mushroom poisoning include nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramping, diarrhoea, confusion, euphoria, sleepiness, loss of muscular coordination, sweating, chills, and visual distortions. In some cases, mushroom poisoning can lead to liver failure or kidney failure.
If you think you have mushroom poisoning, seek medical attention immediately. Bring a sample of the mushroom with you to the hospital if possible, as proper identification can aid in treatment.
Mushrooms are a good source of protein, vitamins, and minerals. They are also used for ceremonial and medicinal purposes and have been shown to produce euphoric feelings and potentially relieve mental health conditions. However, it is important to note that the consumption of certain types of mushrooms, such as \"magic mushrooms\", is illegal in many places.
